Published: October 21, 2009 11:41 am      

Outdoors Chattanooga event

News and Events Oct. 21

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Registration Deadline Tomorrow! Dam-to-Dam Paddle

Register now for the first annual Dam-to-Dam Paddle, an extreme overnight paddling trip from Chickamauga Dam to Nickajack Dam on the Tennessee River Blueway, Sat. and Sun., Oct. 24 and 25. Participating canoeists and kayakers will paddle 27 miles the first day, 23 miles the second. Outdoor Chattanooga will provide shuttle service for participants and gear, hot supper and breakfast, and a campsite at the Tennessee River Gorge Trust’s scenic Pot Point Cabin. Email Outdoor Chattanooga or call (423) 643-6889 for more information.



~City Requesting Proposals for Skate Park Lease

The City of Chattanooga’s Parks and Recreation Department is now requesting proposals to lease the Chattown Skate Park and pro shop facilities located in the First Tennessee Pavilion complex near Finley Stadium. Intent is for a professional management team to operate set hours of operation and to provide skating-related pro shop activities. The lease agreement would include the Skate Park property and the pro shop building at 1801 Carter St. Deadline is 4 p.m. on Fri., Oct. 30.



Events

5K4UW Oct. 25

McKee Foods will host a 5K run and walk on Sun., Oct. 25 in Collegedale, TN, to benefit the United Way. The day’s festivities begin at 11 a.m. with check-ins for a 11:30 a.m. and 3 p.m. walk. Registration for the 5K race begins at 12 noon. Race time is 1 p.m. Register online.



~Wilderness Workshop Oct. 31

Tennessee Wild will host a Wilderness Workshop at the Chattanooga Nature Center on Sat., Oct. 31, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Representatives from Campaign for America's Wilderness and The Wilderness Society will be on hand for this fun and interactive training. Attendees will learn how they can get involved with our effort to expand wilderness in the Cherokee National Forest. The workshop is free and open to the public. Childcare will be provided. To learn more, please email or call Jeff Hunter at 423-322-7866.



Team in Training Information Meetings Oct. & Nov.

Team in Training will hold introductory meetings for people who are interested in training for their first century ride, marathon, or triathlon. The organization helps individuals train in exchange for agreeing to raise money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. The free, introductory meetings will be held at 6 p.m., at the following times and locations.

Tues., Oct. 27 – Hamilton Family YMCA - 7430 Shallowford Road 37421

Thurs., Nov. 5 – North River Family YMCA - 4138 Hixson Pike 37415

Tues., Nov. 10 – Terminal Brewhouse - 6 East 14th Street 37408

Email or call Lisa Bailey at (800) 331-2980, ext. 23 for more information.



Adventures

Soddy-Daisy Chapter of the Tennessee Trails Association

The Soddy-Daisy Chapter of the Tennessee Trails Association offers regular weekly public hikes and volunteer trail days. Visit the SDTTA Google Calendar Page for a complete schedule.

Sat., Oct. 24

9 a.m. - Black Mtn. Hike

An easy 2-mile hike near Crossville around the top of Black Mountain on the Black Mountain Loop Trail with extended stops at Northern Overlook and Southern Overlook. Meet at the BP station in Bakewell and depart from there no later than 9 a.m. EDT. Return by 3 p.m. For details and specific directions, email hike leader Don Deakins at (423) 842-3140.

~Sat., Oct. 31

9 a.m. – Flipper Bend

The 9.5-mile Flipper Bend loop is located atop the plateau on south side of North Chickamauga Creek and looks down upon North Chick segment of Cumberland Trail. The trail is relatively level but does include a few heart pounding grades. Email or call hike leader Don Deakins at (423) 842-3140 for more information.



South Cumberland State Park Activities

The rangers at the South Cumberland State Park host activities every weekend at park facilities near Monteagle, TN. Visit the Friends of SCSRA for a detailed calendar. All times are CDT.

Sat., Oct. 24

10 a.m. - Bluffs and Foliage at the Foster Falls Overlook

Join the ranger at the Foster Falls parking lot for a very short hike to enjoy the foliage from the Foster Falls overlook and learn a little bit about our local geology. An optional, 4 -mile round trip, rim hike to the Small Wilds campground will be available to those who want to bring water and a picnic lunch.

Sun., Oct. 25

8 a.m. - Fiery Gizzard

Come hike the best trail at the best time of year, the Fiery Gizzard. This 13-mile day hike will be moderately difficult. Meet at the Grundy Forest with plenty of water and a lunch.

2 p.m. - Sycamore Falls Hike

Meet Ranger Brent at the Grundy Forest parking lot for a moderate 3-mile round trip hike to Sycamore Falls. Come out for an afternoon of fall weather and colors on the Fiery Gizzard Trail. Bring your camera, water, and a snack.



Tennessee Wild Hikes for October

Tennessee Wild and the Chattanooga Nature Center will host three, free public hikes in October to show off some of the special wild areas in the Cherokee National Forest. To pre-register for a hike or learn more, email or call Jeffrey Hunter at (423) 322-7866.

Sat., Oct. 24 - Upper Bald River Wilderness Study Area - A 6-mile, moderate hike in the Upper Bald Wilderness Study Area. Kirkland Creek Trail in the Upper Bald River Wilderness Study Area.



More News

~Google Street Trike - Where do YOU Want to Bike?

Hot dog! Google has created a tricycle to start mapping bicycle routes around U.S. locations. The new Google Street Trike has already mapped popular attractions and parks in the United Kingdom. Now, Google is soliciting input on where in the U.S. they should go to map bicycle routes. From now through Oct. 28, the public is being asked to suggest potential spots in six categories: Parks and Trails, University Campuses, Pedestrian Malls, Theme Parks and Zoos, Landmarks, and Sports Venues (e.g. golf courses, race tracks, stadiums). So what should they come map in Chattanooga? Let them know.



~Cades Cove Loop Road to be Closed for Paving in Spring, 2010

Great Smoky Mountains National Park managers have announced plans to rehabilitate the 11-mile Cades Cove Loop Road in the spring of 2010. Due to the limitations on work processes posed by the narrow, single lane historic road the Park plans to close the road to all use from Mar. 1 through May 21, 2010. The road will remain a single lane, one-way byway, but the Park does plan to pave a number of informal pull-offs that are already in use, but badly eroded. The Cades Cove campground, picnic area, horseback riding stable and campground store will operate as normal, and any trails not accessed by the loop road will also remain open.



~Over $13,000 Raised for Trails at StumpJump Oct. 3

Six hundred trail runners and a variety of sponsors raised over $13,000 for trail advocacy at the 9th annual Rock/Creek Stump Jump 50K/11K trail race, held on Sat., Oct. 3. The Wilderness Trail Running Association (a.k.a. The Boonies) will use raised funds to secure access to new trails, maintain existing trail systems, and promote and organize trail racing. Additional direct beneficiaries this year include the Cumberland Trail Conference, Friends of the Cumberland Trail, the Lula Lake Land Trust, and the Signal Mountain High School Cross Country team.



Volunteer Opportunities

Head of the Hooch Nov. 7/8 - Volunteers Needed

The Lookout Rowing Club needs volunteers for the annual Head of the Hooch rowing regatta, beginning Sat., Oct. 31 and extending through the end of the competition on Nov. 7. Don't miss this opportunity to be in the middle of the action during this ultra exciting competitive event. Dozens of volunteers are needed to do everything from helping launch and recover racing shells to installing buoys and helping to control traffic. Other jobs include manning 1st aid stations, piloting launches on the water during competition, and helping direct foot traffic. Please email Lookout Rowing Club president Henry Magnuson to participate or learn more.



Website of the Week

What exactly is bouldering all about? This video on Climbing.com chronicles the first leg of the Triple Crown Bouldering Competition, which comes to Chattanooga every December.

Last Week’s Website:

The Southeast Watershed Forum addresses regional water conservation issues and offers services such as mapping, training, and round table discussions.



Coming Up . . .

November

6-8 Scenic City Photo Safari

7/8 Head of the Hooch Rowing Regatta

Paddle Alabama

8 Sunset Rock Trail Day

13 Wild and Scenic Environmental Film Festival

14 Chickamauga Battlefield Marathon, ½ Marathon & Jr. Marathon

~Upchuck 50K Trail Race

15 Wild and Scenic Environmental Film Festival

21 Jingle Bell Run/Walk for Arthritis

26 Sports Barn Turkey Trot



December

5 Hiwassee Refuge by Kayak

~Triple Crown Bouldering Series – Stone Fort

12 Wauhatchie Trail Run

19 Lookout 100K & 10K Trail Race